"At the same time that she was a drama teacher and coach, she was also very involved with students outside the theater. She opened up a world for us beyond our own, and taught us that there were possibilities ont there and encouraged us to embrace them," Simmons says.
Lillie's support of Simmons extended even beyond high school.
"She helped me get financial aid at Dillard, her alma mater," Simmons says. "And once, because she knew that I did not have resources, she actually sent me money while I was in college."
A Debt of Gratitude
Simmons was only one beneficiary of Lillie's magnanimity. Others of her more renowned students include: the late U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan; Billy Matthews, offensive line coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers; musician Ernestine Anderson of the Jazz Crusaders; and jazz musician Arnet Cobb.
"She not only had two children of her own, but she had all these other children clinging to her. And yet, the family made room for these other children," says Simmons. "How this family had the generosity to do that - I still to this day don't understand it. I loved her daughters and her husband, too."
For Simmons, the scholarship in Lillie's name at Dillard was inevitable.
"I knew many years ago - even as a student - that one day I wanted to find a way to indicate the deep gratitude that I have for her and her family for their help," says Simmons.
The first recipient of the Lillie award was Pia Betts who received a scholarship for the 1996-97 academic year. Betts is a Dillard presidential scholar and a vocalist.
The goal of the scholarship fund is to be able to offer $25,000 annually and to support several students at once.
"I feel I could never do enough to honor the person that [Lillie] is and the way that I think she serves as a model for all of us who think it is important to support the efforts of African American children," Simmons says.
COPYRIGHT 1997 Cox, Matthews & Associates© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
